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Posted: Mar 09, 2020

Harper edges Triton, Joliet to secure third consecutive North Central District title

(Image courtesy of Triton College Athletics)
(Image courtesy of Triton College Athletics)

UPDATE: COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA - Harper College freshman Munkhtulga Zuunbayan won the NJCAA National Championship at 157 pounds with dramatic takedown just seconds before the end of the first extra period against Martin Margolis III of Clackamas Community College (OR), which won the NJCAA National Champioship as a team with 133.5 points. Harper College finished 11th overall with 60.0 points, while Triton College was 21st at 19.0 points and Joliet Junior College tallied 9.0 points to place in a tie for 34th. Zuunbayan was voted the Ernest B. Gould Most Oustanding Wrestler by tournament coaches.

 

(Images courtesy of Harper College Athletics)

RIVER GROVE, ILL. - The Harper College wrestling team maintained its place atop the podium by winning the 2020 NJCAA North Central District Championship at Triton College on February 22. The Hawks, who entered as the two-time defending district champs, racked up 148.5 points to earn a 31-point victory over Triton College with 117.5 points. Joliet Junior College placed third at 91.0 points. 

Harper College, ranked #13 in the NJCAA Wrestling Poll, qualified all ten of its competing wrestlers. Four different Hawks won their weight class as freshmen Mar Trece Smith (133), Ben Lemp (149), Munkhtulga Zuunbayan (157), and Nick Mihajlovich (184). Coach Dan Loprieno was awarded the North Central District Coach of the Year honor.

Triton College placed three wrestlers atop the podium, Tommy Russell (125), Dante Colza (174), and Sean Kelly (197), and will send eight on to the national championships. Russell, a sophomore and Brookfield, Illinois, native, was named the North Central District Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Joliet Junior College's Jake Kendall won the 165-pound weight class and will be one of six moving on to nationals.

The 2020 NJCAA Wrestling Championships are March 6-7 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Team Standings

  1. Harper College - 148.5
  2. Triton College - 117.5
  3. Joliet Junior College - 91.0
  4. Muskegon College - 84.5
  5. Henry Ford College - 74.5
  6. Ancilla College - 70.5
  7. St. Claire County College - 70.0

2020 NJCAA North Central District Championship Meet Results